Construction of RUB at Baltana crossing begins

Work on the much-awaited road under bridge (RUB) at the Raipur Kalan-Harmilap Nagar (Baltana) level crossing has finally started with workers carrying out digging at the site. A tubewell will be sunk at the site first to facilitate the construction work.

The UT Administration recently completed the acquisition of nearly 0.75 acres for the project after declaring a compensation award worth Rs 4.96 crore in favour of two landowners.

“After a long wait, the construction of the much-delayed RUB started today,” said Pratap Singh Rana, chairman of the Joint Action Committee for Baltana Residents. The project is likely to be completed in nearly 12 months.

The project has long been a major demand of residents of Baltana, Harmilap Nagar, Raipur Kalan and adjoining areas. The Railway authorities had approved the project in 2021 at an estimated cost of Rs 7.99 crore. The cost is to be shared equally by the Railways and the Chandigarh Administration. However, delays in land acquisition and financial procedures held up the project for a long time, raising the cost to Rs 12.80 crore, said Rana.

“Once completed, the RUB will bring relief to thousands of commuters from traffic snarls at the crossing in the peak morning and evening hours,” Rana said.

The Northern Railway had invited e-bids for the construction of the RUB through a “normal pushing” technique, which ensures railway operations continue on the track during the construction work. A large number of residents of Raipur Kalan village, Mauli Jagran and Vikas Nagar in Chandigarh; Baltana, Zirakpur and Dhakoli in Mohali district; and Panchkula use this level crossing every day.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, along with Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, laid the foundation stone of the project on May 20. The UT Administration deposited Rs 6.4 crore with the Railways. “The Governor not only sanctioned the funds, but got them released too,” said Rana.